# Bob Folger: Reviewing the Giants' defense and special teams in the preseason game against Miami, Folger states he has little doubt linebacker Zaire Barnes will make the roster, largely on the strength of his special teams play.

**Claimed:** Aug 23, 2026
**Pundit:** Bob Folger — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/pundits/bob-folger
**Outlet:** Sports Illustrated — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/outlets/sports-illustrated
**How it reached us:** published in writing
**Original:** https://www.si.com/nfl/giants/onsi/giants-defense-grades-dolphins-01m0r4k7w4m8

One checkable claim, graded on its own against what actually happened.

It names 2 players and teams, each linked to their own record.

The call scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess at the same calls.

> we have little doubt that Barnes is making this team not just for his contributions on defense but more so for his special teams ability

*(their words, quoted for attribution)*

## The claims

- **Zaire Barnes to make the roster**
  - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Zaire Barnes, New York Giants
  - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess

## Who this take is about

- Zaire Barnes — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/players/zaire-barnes
- New York Giants — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/nfl/teams/giants

## What others said about the same people

- Patricia Traina on Paulson Adebo: Traina projects the Giants' initial 53-man roster position by position, naming who makes the team and who lands on the practice squad, including keeping Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Evan Neal (with a possible trade), Dalen Cambre over Braxton Berrios, Lucas Patrick as backup center, and Dominic Zvada as the kicker. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/8bb1a183-b45b-44db-8a61-23bdd2238a6b (scored 100)
- Patricia Traina on Braxton Berrios: Traina projects the Giants' Week 1 inactive list: Darius Slayton, Thomas Fidone II, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Elijah Campbell, J.C. Davis and Bobby Jamison-Travis, with Braxton Berrios elevated from the practice squad. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/b611d711-e898-4a2c-b27d-3ac154727828 (scored 0)
- Carter Bahns on Odell Beckham Jr.: The unsigned newsletter names five big-name veterans it expects to be cut ahead of Sunday's 53-man roster deadline, saying not to be surprised if they are free agents by the end of the weekend. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/335e7525-e537-4e8d-8f46-297b444b6e76 (scored 0)
- Patricia Traina on Malik Nabers: Previewing the Giants' preseason finale, Traina says John Michael Schmitz is locked in as the starting center and identifies Malik Nabers, Malachi Fields and Darius Slayton as receivers certain to make the 53-man roster. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/c2b2d4aa-7b73-40ab-adb7-c2a90507e498 (scored 100)
- Charean Williams on Odell Beckham Jr.: Williams writes that Calvin Austin's season-ending ACL injury and placement on IR improves Odell Beckham Jr.'s chances of making the Giants' 53-man roster. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/023f6a1c-9291-45f1-beea-415e1e285f06 (scored 100)
- Carter Bahns on Odell Beckham Jr.: A CBS Sports piece names 20 notable veterans it considers at risk of being cut before the 53-man roster deadline, with several pegged for the practice squad or outright release, and also sketches a few depth-chart pecking orders (Titans QBs, Panthers tight ends, Texans receivers, Eagles backfield). — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/94f49c83-2307-4f25-b10c-b1cba9df5dbc (scored 0)

## More roster spot calls

The same kind of call, about other players and teams.

- Fox Sports on J.J. McCarthy: FOX Sports projects Kyle McCord as Miami's backup behind starter Malik Willis, Mitchell Trubisky as Tennessee's primary backup behind starter Cam Ward, and J.J. McCarthy making the Vikings' 53-man roster. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/dcd95051-2c24-4226-be5d-ff36732ce5dc (scored 100)
- Nathan Jahnke on Devin Duvernay: PFF's preseason usage recap makes a number of depth-chart and roster projections, including nine rookie receivers slotting as top-three options on their teams, sleeper tight end usage, and specific depth-chart placements for Cardinals, Falcons and Ravens players. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/8f52d1f8-91ed-459c-99a7-30c2d3fb38e0 (scored 100)
- Nathan Jahnke on Ameer Abdullah: An unsigned PFF preseason recap makes numerous depth-chart, roster and usage projections across the league, based on Week 3 preseason playing time — including Roman Wilson winning Pittsburgh's third receiver job, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Charlie Kolar as the Chargers' top tight end, and Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/47566b48-8024-4960-b25c-11c03fe43543 (scored 100)
- Noah Compton on Caden Curry: After the Colts' preseason finale loss to Detroit, Compton projected several roster and depth-chart outcomes: Daniel Jones as the starting quarterback, rookie A.J. Haulcy as the starting strong safety, Seth McGowan as the backup running back, and rookie defensive ends George Gumbs Jr. and Caden Curry making the initial 53-man roster, while receiver Deion Burks appears likely to be cut. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/fa7eba23-4322-47d7-b21e-7adb82e6b325 (scored 100)
- Nathan Jahnke on Devin Duvernay: PFF's preseason fantasy recap makes a series of depth-chart, roster and usage projections based on final-week preseason snap counts, including Ja'Kobi Lane locking down the Ravens' third receiver role, Luke McCaffrey's roster spot being in danger, Kyle Pitts facing reduced 12-personnel usage, Kendre Miller as the Saints' RB2 and Emmett Johnson as the Chiefs' backup running back. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/265cbdba-b0e0-4f80-9665-a4ca5aaec53e (scored 100)
- Jeff Kerr on Cole Payton: Kerr ranks the Eagles' 2025 draft picks by cut risk, predicting seventh-rounders Keyshawn James-Newby and Cole Wisniewski land on the practice squad, while Cole Payton, Uar Bernard, Makai Lemon, Eli Stowers and Markel Bell make the 53. He also says Lemon starts Week 1 and Bell is the right tackle of the future. — https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/opinions/ae8f39f7-dab8-4908-a53e-e3401a7c8bee (scored 100)

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Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages.

Full method: https://missedtakes.thegoodapps.co/methodology

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